HIV is increasing among adolescents and young adults in the US. Antiretroviral medications, when taken correctly (≥90% of prescribed doses taken), can vastly improve life expectancy. However, adherence among HIV-infected young people is suboptimal, and few interventions are available to help adolescents adhere to treatment.

The first phase of the study is an intervention development phase, which includes conducting interviews with 40 HIV-infected youth for input on the adaptation of the approach. The information obtained from the qualitative interviews is used to adapt the Life-Steps intervention (designed by our group for HIV-infected adults) to be responsive to the needs of HIV-infected adolescents, with acceptability of topics and content, and feasibility of intervention delivery to be tested in an open pilot trial.

We will code the qualitative interview data for key themes that emerge with respect to adherence and intervention needs. The information obtained from the qualitative interviews is used to adapt the Life-Steps intervention (designed by our group for HIV-infected adults) to be responsive to the needs of HIV-infected adolescents, with acceptability of topics and content, and feasibility of intervention delivery to be tested in an open pilot trial.

Estimated Enrollment:

40

Study Start Date:

August 2010

Estimated Study Completion Date:

December 2011

Primary Completion Date:

July 2011 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)

Detailed Description:

This phase of the protocol focuses on setting up the infrastructure necessary for conducting the study, including hiring and training activities with study staff. This time will be spent conducting interviews and using these data to inform the development of the intervention protocol and adaptation of all Life-Steps intervention materials, including study assessment instruments, for HIV-infected youth.

The interview is a one-time event and will last for 1.5-2 hours. It has two components: a quantitative assessment and a qualitative discussion. After all participants have completed the informed consent and assent (if under the age of 18) processes, the research staff will administer a brief quantitative assessment that will ask questions related to demographics, medication adherence, sexual risk, substance use, and psychosocial condition. The second part of the interview will be an open discussion. The interviews will be conducted by a trained member of the research staff. The interviews will be informed by a pre-determined qualitative topic guide.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

13 Years to 24 Years

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Sampling Method:

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

HIV-infected youth between the ages of 13 and 24

Criteria

Phase I

Inclusion Criteria:

Age 13 to 24 years

HIV-infected and aware of HIV-infection status

Currently taking antiretroviral therapy, has been prescribed antiretroviral therapy in the past 6 months, or a medical provider has recommended antiretroviral medications within the last 6 months

Willing and able to provide informed consent or assent (if under the age of 18)

Exclusion Criteria:

Not willing or able to provide informed consent or assent (if under the age of 18)

Is dealing with a severe mental illness requiring immediate treatment (e.g. active psychotic episode) or a mental illness that would limit a participant's ability to engage with study protocol (e.g. dementia)

Has severe cognitive limitations that would limit a participant's ability to comprehend the informed consent or assent.

Willing and able to provide informed consent/consent of parent/guardian if under the age of 18

Exclusion Criteria:

Not willing or able to provide informed consent or assent (if under the age of 18)

Is dealing with a severe mental illness requiring immediate treatment (e.g. active psychotic episode) or a mental illness that would limit a participant's ability to engage with study protocol (e.g. dementia)

Has severe cognitive limitations that would limit a participant's ability to comprehend the informed consent or assent.

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01253850